Telephone accessory



June 2, 1936. A. M. PETERS 2,042,548

TELEPHONE ACCESSORY Filed May 5, 1955 V E INVENTOR U ADOLF M. PETERS ayu"f:

ATTO EY Patented June 2, I 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TELEPHONEACCESSORY Adolf M. Peters, New York, N. Y.

Application May 5, 1933, Serial No. 669,552 1 Claim. (Cl. 248-350) Theinvention relates to means for temporarily securing movable objects inplace and has more particular reference to auxiliary means for securingthe conventional telephone base in temporarily fixed position on anydesired surface.

Comprehensively stated, the invention comprises a suction membewith anarrangement for connecting it to a movable object to temporarily securethe movable object to a surface in a semipermanent manner. Morespecifically stated, the invention comprises a suction device having anarrangement for detachably connecting it with a telephone instrument,and preferably takes the form of a unitary construction of resilientmaterial, having an annular rim for snapping on the base of theinstrument with one or more suction members arranged below thebase-receiving portion of the construction for supporting the instrumentin a semi-xed position on a horizontal surface or a suction devicearranged at one side of the instrument for supporting the instrument ina semi-fixed position to a vertical wall.

While one embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawingaccompanying this application and forming part thereof, it is to beunderstood that such embodiment is merely illustrative of the underlyingprinciples of the invention so as to afford a clear understandingthereof to those skilled in the art and is not intended as limiting theinvention to the specific form disclosed therein.

In said drawing: I

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a telephone instrument with the inventionshown in cross-section applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 1 with a modified form ofthe invention shown partly in section and partly fragmentary.

Fig. 3 is a further modification, partly in section,

Fig. 4 is a further modification, partly in section, .Y

Fig. 5 is a still further modification of the embodiment shown in Fig.1.

Fig. 6 is a modication of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Continuing now by way of a more detailed description, and referring moreparticularly to Fig. l, a conventional dial operated telephoneinstrument of the cradle type is indicated by A and has its bottomsurface B which usually consists of a felt pad resting on a horizintallydisposed wall C of the device. An annular upstanding rim D has its upperend overlying the lower periphery of the instrument base. This rim maybe worked over the base of the instrument and will because of its snugilt therewith remain in place on the instrument. In order to secure thedevice to a surface, the annular rim D is carried down to form adependent annular collapsible flange E 5 which forms with thehorizontally disposed instrument base supporting wall C, a suction disk.for securing the device and its attached instrument to any convenientfiat surface. The downward, pressure on the instrument A and the de- 10vice causes the edges of the flange E to spread, causing the air betweenthe transverse wall C and the at surface to be expelled. The differencein pressure in the confined space below the transverse wall C and theoutside atmospheric pressure causes the device with its attachedinstrument to remain in desired position on a suitable surface untilremoved.

In Fig. 2, instead ofthe transverse wall C being carried completelyacross the bottom face of the instrument, a central opening F appearstherein.

In order to facilitate release of the device from the flat surface, avalve G of any convenient type is provided on its outer periphery topermit air to enter at will into the confined space below the bottom ofthe instrument. This valve G may be equally well applied to the suctionmembers shown in the other gures.

In Fig. 3, instead of a single suction chamber co-extensive with theinstrument base as shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of relatively smallsuction disks H are secured to a bracket J having a plurality ofupstanding lugs J', the latter serving to maintain the instrument inproper position.

'Ihe modification shown in Fig. 4 comprises one 35 or more comparativelysmall suction disks K mounted in any convenient manner, for instance bymeans of rivets, on the ends of arms L which are conveniently pivoted atM and locked by thumb screws M' to afford means for properly 40positioning the suction disks attached. 'I'he upper ends of the arms Lare attached to or formed with a split collar P fitting the upstandinghand post R of the non-cradle type of telephone instrument. Thelaterally projecting ends P of the split collar P are convenientlylocked together by tightening bolt S.

In the modication shown in Fig. 5, an arrangement is provided fordetachably securing the instrument'to a vertical surface and to this 50end the arrangement takes the form of a suction disk T having ahorizontally disposed arm U one end of which is secured to the suctiondisk in any convenient manner as fo` instance the rivet U' and the otherend is attached to or secured to an instrument-receiving plate W havinga plurality of upstanding lugs W i'or the purpose ot maintaining theinstrument in position.

In the modification shown in Pig. 6 which nearly resembles that shown inFig. l except that instead of a suction disk substantially coextensivewith the instrument base. an annular peripheral channel serves to moreeffectively seal the vacuum chamber.

The invention is especially eiective when used with the dialoperatedptelephone in preventing the instrument from slipping during thedialing which so frequently happens with a resultant failure toestablish connection.

I claim:

A non-slip base for a dial operated type .oi desk @maus telephone.comprising a nat supporting wail adapted to underlie the entire base o!the telephone and having an upstanding nange bounding its edge andforming an opening oi' a smaller area than that of the telephone base,said ilange being adapted to be forced over the telephone base for theseating of the latter on said supporting wall, and an outwardly flaredapron depending from said supporting wall in substantial continuity withsaid flange and forming thereby a smooth exterior surface to thenon-slip base, said apron and supporting wail forming a suction chamberfor holding the telephone in place on a supporting surface duringmanipulation o! the telephone dial.

ADOLF M. PETERS.

